Hi again! So, you probably noticed the name of the story changed. It was brought to my attention that my story was similar to another siu story on the site, with the same name. So I changed it, and it's all good with the other author, so don't worry :) Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter, and I hope its starting to satisfy you CeCe/Gunther shippers. The next chapter will be the last, with maybe an epilogue to follow, so enjoy!

Disclaimer: Don't own Shake it Up. Really wish I did :)

On that late Chicago afternoon, the city found itself with one small, redheaded girl sitting on the stairs leading up to one of its many apartment buildings. This girl, like most, had a story to be told. The thing that made this girl so special was that she didn't want her story to be heard. She hated what her story made her, and what she had become.

This girl, CeCe Jones, found herself sitting on the front steps of her and Rocky Blue's apartment, trying to hide herself from the world. She knew this wouldn't be difficult, though. The world didn't care about her. If anyone did, they would have stopped at the sight of a young girl crying by herself and asked her what was wrong. But no one did.

My life is over, she thought to herself, not wanting to move.

She knew she would no longer be known as CeCe, the amazing dancer; or CeCe, the great friend.

No, all she would be now was CeCe, the abuse victim; and CeCe, the girl who was too weak and afraid to stand up for herself.

I hate myself, was the thought that ran through her head over and over, a song stuck on repeat.

Why is this my life? What did I ever do to anyone else to deserve this?

CeCe didn't answer herself, because she knew she didn't have too. She knew she could be cruel, and rarely paid attention to other people's feelings besides her close friends and family.

"CeCe?" All thoughts that were running through her mind stopped, her brain hitting the brakes. And she waited.

CeCe waited for the laughing. How could you be so weak?

CeCe waited for the blame. This is all your fault. You made him mad, so you paid for it.

CeCe waited for the mocking. Look at me, I'm CeCe Jones, and I'm a weak little girl who can't fight back.

But it never came.

Instead, CeCe felt the person sit down beside her, and put his hand on her shoulder, a gesture of comfort.

She flinched, and he pulled away.

"CeCe, please. Say something, anything." CeCe didn't want to, but knew she had to.

"Why are you here? You hate me, and I hate you. I thought we understood that." CeCe pulled her head up, and looked right into Gunther's eyes, and found something she didn't expect to find: remorse.

"I am here because despite the obvious fact that we bicker, you are one of my only friends, and I do not hate you. I may like to make fun of you, but no one should be allowed to hurt you. So, please, tell me what happened."

CeCe could not believe what she was hearing. Sure, she fought with him and his sister on a daily basis, but that was because she had convinced herself she hated them. She thought they were annoying, arrogant, and all around mean. CeCe couldn't even fathom the fact that Gunther had this caring side of him.

CeCe just shook her head, and turned away. "You won't care, anyway."

The young girl was surprised when Gunther took her hands in his, and this time, she didn't flinch or move away.

"I do care. Please, just talk to me." CeCe turned, and couldn't help but feel compelled to tell him. It was as if she was being forced, but she knew it was all her doing.

"My boyfriend. He…" CeCe took a deep breath, knowing she was about to say what had happened out loud, even though her arm spoke louder than any words could. "He hit me."

Tears started coming down, rain on the pavement, and CeCe made no attempt to stop them. She was tired of hiding, pretending. The masquerade was over, and it was time to take off the mask.

The next thing that happened came as a complete shock to CeCe Jones. Gunther pulled her close, and hugged her. It felt wrong, but completely right all at the same time. Not caring if anyone she knew walked by and saw them, CeCe buried her face into his shirt, and cried.

She cried for Frankie, the cruel man he had become.

She cried for herself, the pain she had to go through.

But most of all, she cried for the loss of innocence, knowing she would never view the world the same way again.

After what seemed like hours, but what was probably only a few minutes, CeCe's tears stopped. Yet, she still remained in Gunther Hesseneffer's arms, unmoving.

"You need to confront him." CeCe jumped up, shocked.

"What? Are you crazy? He'd kill me! Not only because I'd be breaking up with him, but because he'd know I told you. I can't Gunther. I just can't." CeCe shook her head, knowing talking to Frankie was not an option.

"CeCe, listen to me. You cannot let this complicated man hurt you anymore. It is not right. Please, let me help you confront him. He will not hurt you if I'm with you. When is the next time you will be seeing him?"

CeCe sighed. "Tomorrow."

"Then tomorrow you will break up with him once and for all. Okay?" CeCe looked at Gunther, and realized he was right. She needed to end things with Frankie, and find someone better. Someone who would love her, and never hurt her.

CeCe nodded, and Gunther stood up, and smiled.

"Tomorrow, your life will change for the better. Trust me." And with that, Gunther walked away, leaving a much happier CeCe behind him.

She looked down at her arm, and realized the colors she thought were going to dominate her life forever, had started to fade. CeCe Jones was going to make a comeback.

Hope you all liked it! As always, I love love love any and all critisim given in reviews :) And I just love reviews in general :)